I 


3 


ADDRESS 

BEFORE  THE 

MEMBERS  AND  PUPILS 

OF  THE 

WINY  AH  INDIGO  SOCIETY 

DELIVERED  IN  GEORGETOWN, 


ON  THE 

5th  OF  MAY,  1854, 
(THEIR  99TH  ANNIVERSARY.) 


BY  THE  PRESIDENT 

R.  F.  W.  ALLSTON. 


CHARLESTON: 

WALKER,  EVANS  & CO’S.  STEAM  POWER  PRESSES. 
NO.  3 BROAD  STREET. 


1859. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/addressbeforememOOalls 


THE  FLOWERS  COLLECTION 


ADDRESS. 


A desire  for  happiness,  the  pursuit  of  which  constitutes  with 
most  men  the  business  of  life,  furnishes  at  once  the  motive 
and  stimulus  to  exertion.  Wealth  is  sought,  whether  on  the 
boisterous  South  sea,  amid  the  trackless  fields  of  ice  in  the 
Arctic,  or  in  the  mineral  bowels  of  the  earth;  by  means  of 
agriculture,  commerce,  manufactures,  or  of  professions,  trades 
and  callings,  of  countless  variety  and  degrees  of  profit, 
because  it  is  expected  to  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  its 
fortunate  possessor. 

Fame  results  to  the  scientific  traveler,  the  astronomer,  the 
author,  who  through  burning  sands,  in  weary  watchings  of  the 
heavenly  bodies,  in  studious  exactions  from  the  stimulated, 
brain,  pursues  his  pleasure  in  gratifying  his  taste.  To  the  distin- 
guished naturalist  who  passed  a life-time  in  the  forest,  among 
the  fields,  in  dank  swamps,  and  in  the  wild  prairies,  engaged  in 
capturing,  dissecting  and  depicting  the  birds  and  quadrupeds 
of  America  ! He,  of  whom,  while  living  it  might  have  been 
truly  said — 

“ Who  lovethwell 
‘ Both  man  and  bird  and  beast.” 

Toilsome  days  and  sleepless  nights  are  spent  in  securing 
office,  whether  of  honor,  profit  or  trust.  The  mind,  once 
engaged  in  such  an  effort  with  fixed  intent,  it  is  in  the  attain- 
ment only  of  the  object,  that  its  happiness  is  supposed  to  con- 
sist. Alas  ! what  an  illusion  to  many  who  thus  seek,  and 
are  gratified  with  the  fullest  success.  Who,  waking  up  late 
to  the  consciousness  of  holy  desires,  realize  at  the  close  of  a 
checkered,  feverish,  perhaps  turbulent  life,  the  emptiness  of 
the  glittering  bubble  they  have  pursued. 


4 


Yet  are  we  bound  to  prosecute  the  journey  of  life,  and  to 
keep  in  active  exercise  the  sagacity,  and  all  the  energies  of 
mind  and  body  with  which  we  have  been  endowed,  in  order 
to  avoid  the  snares  and  overcome  the  obstacles  which  beset 
the  way.  Fortunate  they  who,  in  the  outset,  have  secured  a 
trusty,  kind  and  capable  guide.* 

Morality  is  not  to  be  slighted  as  a guide — one  that  is 
deemed  by  the  mass  of  men  sufficient  for  the  greater  part  of 
the  journey.  But  when  the  fancy  and  the  step  begin  to  lose 
the  buoyancy  of  youth,  and  the  wayfarer  pauses  to  reflect  on 
the  past,  should  experience  then  detect,  far  back,  some  slight 
deviation  leading  him,  by  little  and  little,  diverging  away 
from  his  true  course,  religion  will  then  be  consulted  as  the 
surest,  only  safe  guide,  whose  chart  is  traced  by  the  Creator 
himself.  Now,  with  submission  be  it  said,  each  adult  who 
has  been  reared  from  infancy  by  conscientious  parents,  can 
secure  for  himself  in  after  life,  the  direction  and  help  of  both 
the  one  and  the  other,  together  with  the  happiness  resulting 
from  a successful  career.  The  ample  means  available  to  all, 
we  call  education.  } ou  will  perceive  it  is  not  the  teachings  of 
the  schools  and  colleges  alone  that  we  dignify  with  the  im- 
portance attaching  to  this  appellation.  They  constitute  valu- 
able parts,  undoubtedly,  but  not  the  whole;  and  unless  we 
start  right,  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  repeated  errors  by  the  way, 
perhaps  ultimate  and  irretrievable  failure.  In  each  individual 
instance,  education  begins  with  the  dawn  of  sense,  when  the 
cherub  infant  is  affected  by  a frown  of  displeasure,  or  a smile 
of  approbation,  and  lisps  the  first  word  intelligible  to  the 
mother’s  heart.  When  that  heart  leaps  for  joy  at  this  first 
enunciation,  its  glad  impulses  need  no  restraint,  if  happily  its 
possessor  be  trained  to  fulfil  her  noble  mission.  The  mother, 
first  in  the  process  of  nature,  lays  the  cornerstone  of  educa- 
tion. The  teacher  prevails  next,  and  then  the  inner  man, 
with  morality  and  religion  to  prompt  and  direct  his  efforts. 
In  all  civilized  countries  this  subject  deservedly  excites  the 
liveliest  interest  and  prompts  the  most  anxious  enquiry.  Un- 


* John  Banyan,  in  “ the  Pilgrim’s  Progress,”  teaches  all  who  will  apply  to  him, 
how  to  find  such  a one. 


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doubtedly,  serious  mistakes  have  been  made  in  the  prosecution 
of  such  enquiry  hy  individuals,  and  even  classes,  constructing 
theories  supposed  to  be  adapted  to  their  peculiar  circum- 
stances ; but  in  general  mankind  have  been  practical  and 
candid  enough,  willing  to  receive  the  truth  from  any  one  who 
would  take  the  pains  to  investigate  the  subject  and  promul- 
gate results,  or  who  would  assume  the  responsibility  of 
teaching. 

Successive  generations,  guided  by  the  experience  and 
warned  to  shun  the  errors  of  those  which  had  gone  before, 
aided  also  by  superior  lights,  have  materially  improved  the 
systems  of  the  past ; but  each,  for  itself,  has  generally  adopted 
that  which  seemed  best  suited  to  the  existing  spirit,  and  the 
demands  of  the  progressive  age.  As  the  world  has  grown 
older,  education  has  become  more  and  more  thorough,  exten- 
sive and  refined.  In  proportion  as  superior  means  have  been 
invented  and  provided  for  the  prosecution  of  scientific  inves- 
tigation— as  fitting  opportunities  have  been  multiplied  for  its 
classic  and  useful  extension — as  the  arts  and  literature  have 
become  more  widely  diffused,  to  form  and  elevate  the  stan- 
dard of  taste  Still  the  teaching  of  some  fashionable,  though 
varied  and  elegant  schools,  is  rather  superficial.  Designed 
chiefly  for  girls,  they  ought  to  be  reformed.  If  ever  the  power 
of  the  “almighty  dollar”  is  to  be  checked  in  this  prosperous 
country,  and  the  homely  pleasure  of  administering  domestic 
duties  be  vindicated — if  ever  the  energy,  skill  and  ability  of 
American  citizens,  now  so  marvellously  exemplified  in  accu- 
mulating wealth,  be  modified,  purified  and  partially  di- 
verted to  the  pursut  of  higher  ends — of  more  enduring  and 
ennobling  objects — the  reform  is  destined  to  be  effected  by 
the  influence  of  American  women.  It  is  our  interest,  there- 
fore, as  well  as  our  duty,  to  educate  the  sexes  appropriately, 
but  thoroughly. 

In  every  view,  woman  is  entitled  to  the  highest  improve- 
ment of  which  she  is  susceptible,  and  which  the  early  imposed 
offices  of  the  matron  will  permit.  In  no  country  under  the 
sun,  is  her  influence  in  society  more  pervading  and  more 


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generally  acknowledged  than  in  this  republic,  under  a gov- 
ernment of  enlightened  liberty  and  constitutional  law. 

Let  her  be  prepared  then  to  counsel  as  well  as  comfort,  to 
act  within  her  sphere  wisely,  and  for  mutual  good.  Let  her 
be  thoroughly  educated,  not  to  become  masculine  in  deport- 
ment, rendering  men  contrarywise,  effeminate — not  to  organize 
conventions  and  to  conduct  public  lectures — these  are  results 
rather  of  defective,  partial  education — but  to  exercise  kindly 
and  judiciously  the  peculiar,  chastening,  winning  power  with 
which  God  has  endowed  her — to  fulfil  her  important  and 
gracious  mission  in  training  the  tender,  impressible  nature  of 
childhood — to  sooth,  and  gently  to  persuade  the  sterner  nature 
of  man  to  bear  and  forbear. 

The  opinion,  doubtless,  is  sound,  that  children  should  not 
be  sent  out  of  the  family  to  school  until  they  have  attained 
the  age  of  seven  or  eight  years.*  It  would  be  a great  mistake, 
however,  to  suppose  that  the  education  of  those  children  does 
not,  therefore,  progress.  It  commences  in  infancy  and  never 
stops  still,  but  progresses  steadily  for  good  or  for  ill.  If  not 
learning  something  good  with  proper  chosen  playmates,  either 
young  or  old,  they  are  probably  learning  idle  habits  or  bad 
words  and  bad  thoughts,  from  some  vagabond  or  vicious 
companions.  They  will  learn — companionship  is  a necessity 
for  the  child.  Parents,  if  duly  qualified,  are  the  best  possible 
instructors  during  those  tender  years. 

In  the  ordinary  exercise  of  the  maternal  functions,  without 
effort,  but  with  signs  of  pleasure,  the  irritated  child  is  soothed 


■^Except  in  cities  where  they  are  sent  to  “ infant  schools”  from  an  early  age, 
“ to  keep  them  out  of  mischief  and  from  harm.” 

In  some  great  cities  humane  provision  is  made  for  infants  of  the  tenderest  age, 
whose  parents  are  obliged  to  go  out  to  work  daily  for  their  daily  bread.  For  in- 
stance, in  Paris  infants  from  the  age  of  six  weeks,  are  received  for  the  day  at  a 
charitable  institution  called  the  Creche. 

The  mother,  on  her  way  to  the  day’s  work  in  early  morning,  deposits  her  baby 
in  one  of  many  cradles  overlooked  and  tended  by  a Sister  of  Charity.  She  nurses 
it  during  the  day  once  or  twice,  as  the  circumstances  require  and  will  permit, 
and  takes  it  home  with  her  at  night — thus  securing  for  the  helpless  infant  safety 
and  requisite  attention,  whilst  the  mother  labors,  without  impediment,  for  the 
joint  sustenance  ofboth. 


7 


and  comforted  by  sweet  sounds;  and  by  the  most  winning  and 
tender,  but  persistent  manner,  is  taught  to  obey.  It  was  under 
the  influence  of  such  views  as  these  that  I was  impelled,  some 
years  ago,  when  it  was  first  proposed  to  erect  a hall  for  the 
Society’s  accommodation,  to  urge  that  in  the  plan  thereof, 
provision  should  be  made  for  receiving  the  few  orphans  in  the 
district,  likely  to  become  beneficiaries.  It  is  a noble  charity 
to  secure  for  the  helpless  infant,  deprived  of  the  tender  care 
of  a mother,  the  services  of  a faithful  and  judicious  matron. 
With  a view  also  to  a satisfactory  result,  if  I am  to  be  respon- 
sible for  cultivating  the  intellect  of  a youth,  I had  rather 
assume  the  early  care  of  his  moral  nature,  if  it  has  pleased 
God  to  remove  his  natural  parents.  And  this,  I conceive,  is 
a beneficent  object  of  such  an  Institution. 

The  Winyah  Indigo  Society,  whose  99th  Anniversary  we 
are  now  assembled  to  celebrate,  originated  in  the  association 
of  certain  public  spirited  gentlemen  on  the  7th  of  March, 
1755.  Its  schools  were  organized  and  appointed  forthwith, 
and  two  years  after,  namely,  on  21st  of  May,  1757,  it  was 
incorporated  with  the  royal  approbation.* 


*On  21st  May,  1757,  the  members  numbered  95,  as  follows:  William  Allston, 
Joseph  Allston,  Joseph  Allston,  George  Austin,  Archibald  Baird,  Francis  Banna- 
tyne,  John  Bain,  Arthur  Baxter,  John  Baxter,  Allard  Belin,  Burtinhead  Boutwell, 
Zachariah  Brazier,  Joseph  Brown,  Paul  Brunneau,  Joseph  Britton,  Andrew 
Burnet,  Charles  Canty,  John  Cheesborough,  John  Clark,  John  Cleland,  John 
Croft,  John  Crockatt,  John  Cuthbert,  Edward  Cassens,  Alexander  Davidson, 
William  Davidson,  David  Deas,  John  Deleisseline,  Joseph  Dubourdieu,  William 
Flinn,  Elias  Foisin,  John  Forbes,  Charles  Fyffe,  William  Fyffe,  Christopher 
Gadsden,  Tacitus  Gaillard,  Robert  Gibb,  John  Godfrey,  George  Govan,  William 
Green,  Richard  Green,  Patrick  Grier,  Samuel  Grier,  Thomas  Hasell,  William 
Hopton,  Elias  Horry,  Daniel  Horry,  John  Horry,  William  Hughes,  Archibald 
Johnson,  Alexander  Keith,  Francis  Kinloch,  Charles  Lewis,  John  Linning,  Thos. 
Lynch,  Thomas  Lyolbrumby,  Isaac  Marion,  John  M’Cants,  John  M’Dowell,  Alex. 
M’Dowell,  James  M’Kee,  Charles  Minor,  Thomas  Mitchell,  David  Oliphant, 
William  Palmer,  Joseph  Poole,  Robert  Pawley,  George  Pawley,  Jr.  Claudius 
Pegues,  Charles  Pinckney,  George  P.  Powell,  John  Rattray,  Alexander  Rose,  Job 
Rothmahler,  Jonathan  Sarazar,  William  Shackelford,  John  Skrine,  George 
Skinner,  William  Smith,  George  Spencer,  James  Stanghan,  George  Stannet,  L. 
Stoughtenborough,  Paul  Trapier,  Benjamin,  Trapier,  Alex.  Trapier,  Nathaniel 
Tregagle,  Thomas  Waties,  John  Waties,  Robert  Weaver,  John  Withers,  John 
White,  Sam’l  Wragg,  Thomas  Wright,  James  Wright. — 95. 

A larger  list  than  can  be  mustered  now. 


8 


In  the  preamble  to  the  act  of  incorporation  it  is  described 
as  a voluntary  society  for  founding  and  erecting  a free  school 
at  Georgetown. 

In  the  body  of  the  act  it  is  styled  and  declared  to  be  The 
Winy  ah  Indico  Society,  deriving  its  name  from  the  agricultural 
staple  (at  that  time)  of  this  part  of  the  province. 

Banks  and  bank  notes  were  in  those  days,  if  not  unconsti- 
tutional, decidedly  unfashionable.  Specie  consisting  of 
English  and  Spanish  coins,  both  gold  and  silver,  being  not 
plenty,  the  available  currency  consisted  chiefly  of  individual 
notes  of  hand,  land  warrants,  live  stock,  and  the  staple  pro- 
ducts of  the  soil.  Thus  the  subscriptions  and  dues  of  the 
members  of  this  Association  were  paid  in  Indigo,  just  as 
subscriptions  for  erecting  a church  or  “chapel  of  ease”  were 
made  in  the  kind  of  material  which  it  suited  the  subscriber  to 
contribute,  whether  bricks,  or  lime,  or  boards,  or  shingles,  or 
mechanical  labor.* 

Of  the  seventy-six  names  of  families  inscribed  on  the  list 
of  members  in  the  year  of  the  charter,  all  but  eighteen  are 
now  extinct  within  the  district — but  few  of  their  descendants 
are  to  be  found  amongst  us. 

Among  the  present  members  of  the  Society  there  are  recog- 
nized but  six  names  identical  with  those  of  the  said  list. 

Thomas  Lynch,  (a  venerated  name  for  which,  as  for  many 
others,  Carolina  is  indebted  to  Ireland)  th%  first  President  of 
the  Society,  was  a planter  of  large  possessions  on  Santee. 
Educated  in  America,  he  was  highly  esteemed  for  worth  and 
character.  He  was  chosen  one  of  the  deputies  to  represent 
South  Carolina  in  the  first  general  Congress  of  the  confedera- 
ting provinces  anterior  to  the  Revolution.  The  troubles  of 
that  day,  the  weighty  responsibilities  incumbent  on  his  sta- 
tion, together  with  the  total  interruption  of  his  usual  domestic 


^Bishop  Meade  says  of  Virginia : “ Education  was  confined  to  the  sons  of  those 
who  being  educated  themselves,  and  appreciating  the  value  of  it,  and  having  the 
means,  employed  private  teachers  in  their  families,  or  sent  their  sons  to  the 
schools  in  England  and  paid  for  them  with  their  tobacco .”  Even  up  to  the  time 
of  the  Revolution  this  was  the  case  with  some.  General  Nelson,  several  of  the 
Lees  and  Randolphs,  George  Gilmer  and  others  just  got  back  in  time  to  prepare 
for  the  Revolutionary  struggle. 


9 


habits  brought  on  an  attack  of  paralysis,  which  terminated 
his  valuable  life  very  soon  after  his  return  to  Carolina.  His 
only  son,  Thomas  Lynch,  was  chosen  to  replace  him  in  Con- 
gress. He  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence.* 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Society  the  anniversary  meeting 
was  held  in  the  winter,  (1st  Friday  in  December).  As  late  as 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  the  Anniversary  was 
celebrated  by  a dinner  at  “Williamson’s  Tavern”  on  the  5th 
December,  1S00.  At  this  dinner  the  English  roast  beef  and 
plumb  pudding  are  standard  dishes,  notwithstanding  the 
change  of  time  from  December  to  May,  a change  rendered 
advisable  by  the  State  Constitution,  which  requires  the  Le- 
gislature to  be  in  session  in  the  month  of  December. 

In  this  connection  may  we  hope  that  soon  there  will  be  no 
citizen  deriving  ample  revenue  within  the  district,  of  whom  it 
can  be  said,  he  contributes  nothing  towards  the  support  of  its 
schools,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  annual  tax  assessed  for 
the  support  of  the  poor,  and  the  occasional  one  for  repairing  a 
public  edifice,  or  building  a bridge — nothing  towards  its 
improvement. 

Attached  to  the  Winyah  Indigo  Society  is  a library  of 
standard  works  presented  by  the  surviving  members  of  the 
ancient  and  very  respectable  Library  Society  of  Georgetown, 
whose  constitution  was  adopted  3d  January,  1799,  and  the 


*Thomas  Lynch  (the  father)  married  Elizabeth  Allston,  a sister  of  William 
Allston,  Sen.  (Thomas  Waties  married  another  sister — they  lived  in  the  two 
story  house  near  the  live  Oaks  now  standing  on  the  Bay.  Isaac  Marion  married 
another,  who  lived  in  the  house  at  the  corner  on  the  same  square.)  His  family 
consisted  of  several  daughters  and  only  one  son,  the  signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence. 

Thomas  Lynch  (the  son)  was  a gentleman  in  the  best  sense,  of  finished  educa- 
tion, considerable  ability,  and  very  kind  and  affectionate  in  disposition.  At  the 
age  of  twelve  years  he  was  sent  to  Eton,  and  having  completed  his  education  in 
England  returned  to  his  family  in  Carolina  at  the  age  of  21.  He  married  Bliss 
Shubrick  but  left  no  issue.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  soon  after  his  return 
from  Congress,  he  went  into  Christ  Church  Parish  to  raise  and  equip  a company 
for  service.  There,  unfortunately,  he  took  fever  which  prostrated  him  entirely — 
his  serious  illness  resulted  in  the  loss  of  the  use  of  his  limbs — his  physician 
ordered  him  to  go  abroad  for  restoration — in  the  desperate  hope  of  deriving  ben- 
efit from  a voyage  to  Europe,  he  took  shipping  for  San  Jacinto.  The  vessel 
foundered  and  he  was  heard  of  no  more. 


10 


Society  incorporated  in  December,  1800.  With  these  Societies 
to  benefit  both  young  and  old — with  thriving  churches — a 
wealthy  community  of  planters  on  the  adjacent  low  grounds,* 
and  new  sources  of  independence  and  prosperity  developed 
by  her  young  men  in  the  neighboring  pine  lands,  with  a valu- 
able and  growing  commerce  in  lumber  and  naval  stores 
already  established — Georgetown  may  yet  resume  the  position 
which  she  inherited  longago;  when  the  Lynches  and  Horrys, 
the  Waties,  Marions,  and  Mitchells,  and  others  were  active 
citizens  and  familiar  residents  of  the  town  or  vicinage. 
“Noble  and  generous  spirits  were  ye,  who  with  small  care  for 
fame  and  no  hope  of  pelf,  opened  thus  to  the  intellects  of  the 
poor,  the  portals  of  wisdom  !” 

Wisdom,  the  principal  thing,  derived  from  teaching  and 
observation,  is  a store  of  knowledge  which  is  increased  by 
the  very  uses  it  affords.  It  is  to  be  purchased  and  pre- 
served at  any  cost  of  toil,  and  money,  and  privation.  One 
whose  genius  and  industry  acquired  for  him  at  an  early 
age  this  treasure,  tells  us  “Knowledge  is  power.”  In 
these  days,  when  commerce  enlightens,  enriches  and  cheers 
mankind,  when  the  useful  arts  of  peace  are  preferred  to 
the  brilliant  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war,  and  the  subtle 
triumphs  of  diplomacy  have,  in  the  main,  superseded  mili- 
tary conquest,  the  truth  of  the  aphorism  is  manifest.  It 
is  illustrated  in  England  by  the  improvement,  moral  and 
social,  of  the  middle  and  lower  classes.  In  America,  by 
the  wonderful  progress  of  these  States,  intellectual  and  mate- 
rial. What  project  too  vast  for  the  conception  and  system  of 
the  American  mind?  What  design  so  gigantic  that  its  enter- 
prize  dare  not  attempt  the  fulfilment?  If  the  Dead  Sea,  the 
River  Jordan,  the  broad  and  branching  Amazon,  the  Gulf 
Stream,  that  turbulent,  mysterious  artery  of  the  Atlantic,  in 
its  dread  bottomless  depths,  is  to  be  explored,  the  American 
navy  furnishes  the  able  and  willing  agents  to  sound,  to  map, 
and  to  describe.  If  trackless  forests,  wild  mountains,  and 
boundless  plains  are  to  be  traversed,  in  order  to  mark  out 

* Absenteeism  unhappily  abridges  their  wealth,  the  happiness  of  their  people 
and  their  characteristic  influence. 


11 


the  paths  of  commerce  between  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific, 
overland,  small  squads  of  the  American  army  take  the  field, 
heedless  of  approaching  danger,  of  inevitable  suffering  by 
want  and  inclement  seasons,  and  the  stealthy  treacheries  of 
the  lurking  savage,  guided  often  by  science  only,  their  knowl- 
edge of  the  earth  and  of  the  heavens,  they  prepare,  delineate, 
and  protect  the  way.  Not  to  mention  the  submarine  tele- 
graph suggested  from  continent  to  continent  eastward;  the 
idea  now  progressing  of  a corporation  to  construct  sixteen 
hundred  miles  of  railway  from  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi 
to  the  Gulf  of  California,  itself  attests  the  activity,  the  boldness 
and  power  of  civil  and  military  science. 

“A  worldly  man  boasteth  in  his  pride  that  there  is  no  power  but  of  money. 

And  he judgeth  the  characters  of  men  by  the  differing  measures  of  their  means 
He  spurneth  the  needy  sage,  whose  wisdom  hath  enriched  nations, 

And  the  sons  of  poverty  and  learning,  without  whom  earth  were  a desert. 

Music!  the  soother  of  cares,  the  tuner  of  dark,  discordant  heart-strings. 

It  is  nought  to  such  an  one  but  sounds,  whereby  some  earn  their  living. 

The  poem,  and  the  picture,  and  the  statue,  to  him  seem  idle  baubles, 

Which  wealth  condescendeth  to  favor,  to  gain  him  the  name  of  patron. 

Little  wotteth  he  of  the  wisdom  which,  in  his  folly,  he  drspiseth; 

He  considereth  not  that  these  be  the  wires  which  move  the  puppets  of  the 
world.” 

Unless  the  heart  be  duly  trained  however — unless  the 
affections,  the  soul,  be  cultivated,  and  a proper  sense  of  indi- 
vidual responsibility  be  planted  in  the  breast,  knowledge 
sometimes  invests  its  possessor  with  power  to  scourge,  as 
well  as  to  bless  mankind.  Conferring  blessing,  and  honor, 
and  power,  when  the  sympathies  and  principles  of  the 
regenerate  soul  prompt  and  direct  the  mind. 

The  simple  fishermen  of  Judea,  whose  faith  failed  them 
not  under  hardships,  and  suspicion,  and  persecution,  are  ex- 
amples never  too  well  remembered.  And  but  yesterday,  in 
the  city  of  London,  there  was  a living  instance  in  the  person 
of  an  humble,  poor,  and  lame  tradesman,  who  exercised  this 
power  in  a remarkable  manner  over  the  most  erratic  will  of 
truant  boys.  Not  his  learning,  but  his  soul  was  great,  full  of 
the  knowledge  of  good,  and  impelled  by  the  beneficent  desire 
to  communicate  to  the  friendless,  ignorant,  straying  child. 
Little  dreaming  of  the  future  extensive  influence  of  his  ex- 


12 


ample,  the  system  practiced  by  his  big,  benevolent  heart, 
became  the  origin  and  furnished  the  model  of  the  so  called 
“Ragged  Schools”  of  the  metropolis — schools  which  have 
reclaimed  thousands  of  the  destitute,  abandoned,  and  almost 
lost,  from  poverty,  degradation  and  crime.*  Britain  furnishes 
also  an  instance  of  another  kind  far  different,  the  contempla- 
tion of  which  is  replete  with  warning  and  instruction.  The 
most  brilliant  of  her  poets,  the  scintillations  of  whose  genius 
dazzled  while  they  captivated  the  literary  world,  than  whom 
no  one  could  better  portray  the  inward  workings  of  a reckless, 
worldly  spirit,  thus  testifies: 

“ Sorrow  is  knowledge.  They  who  know  the  most 
Must  mourn  the  deepest  o’er  the  fatal  trnth: 

The  tree  of  knowledge  is  not  that  of  life ; 

Philosophy,  and  science,  and  the  springs 
Of  wonder,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  world, 

I have  essayed;  and  in  my  mind,  there  is 
A power  to  make  these  subject  to  itself.’’ 

Another  master  of  verse  says: 

“A  little  knowledge' is  a dangerous  thing; 

Drink  deep,  or  taste  not  of  the  Pierian  spring.” 

This  may  be  true  of  a given  science,  and  doubtless  is  true  of 
the  subject  matter  of  the  poet’s  essay,  whereof  a little  knowl- 
edge imperfectly  obtained  is  apt  to  puff  up  the  possessor  with 
a vain  conceit  of  its  sufficiency.  But  since  the  art  of  printing 
has  become  universal,  shedding  upon  the  inhabitants  of  earth 
far  and  near,  the  genial  light  of  truth,  beneficent,  refining, 
elevating;  no  one  will  be  hardy  enough  to  maintain  the  pro- 
priety of  its  application  to  the  fruit  of  elementary  instruction, 

* John  Pounds,  the  London  cobbler,  who  first,  to  secure  a companion  for  his 
adopted  little  boy.  a vagabond  cousin  whom  he  desired  to  reclaim  and  teach  what 
he  knew,  would  coax  other  little  boys  found  derelict  in  the  street,  and  toll  them 
with  cakes  and  nuts  into  his  narrow  stall,  where  one  byone^-and  in  scanty  degree’ 
they  began  to  learn  the  rudiments  of  reading,  writing  and  cyphering,  but  more  to 
appreciate  and  to  love  thetr  patron  friend  and  his  hom6.  At  length,  the  humble 
stall  was  filled  with  boys  reclaimed  from  vagrancy,  till  it  could  hold  no  more. 
Even  the  little  step  was  occupied  by  dirty  tenants,  jealous  of  their  privilege  and 
earnest  to  catch  instruction  from  his  lips.  His  mission  was  fulfiled.  The  largest 
measure  of  ability,  “with  means  and  appliances  to  boot,”  could  do  no  more. 


13 


even  of  the  most  scanty  description.  On  the  contrary,  the 
injunction  of  the  wise,  the  good,  and  observant  of  mankind 
is,  teach  your  children  to  read,  write  and  cypher,  if  it  is  but  a 
little;  they  can  improve  that  little  hye-and-bye,  when  they 
come  to  have  more  leisure  and  a keener  sense  of  its  value. 
In  any  event,  the  parent  who  acts  thus  will  have  done  his 
part.  And  if  he  can  do  no  more,  he  may  confidently  trust  to 
Providence  to  shape  the  end.  His  children  will  be  enabled 
to  learn  their  duty,  and  how  to  fulfil  it.  The  rest  will  be 
done  for  themselves;  their  own  conscience  prompting  the 
effort.  A most  important  part  of  education  begins  where 
the  school’s  teaching  ends. 

The  progress  of  human  nature  from  youth  to  manhood  and 
full  maturity  is  attended  by  a corresponding,  continuous  de- 
velopment, expansion  and  improvement  of  the  mind;  but  the 
mental  process  continues  long  after  physical  maturity  has 
been  attained.  At  all  periods,  it  is  true,  of  the  spiritual 
man;  there  is  no  stationary  point  in  his  progress.  Unless 
he  improve  for  good  the  means  at  hand,  and  the  occa- 
sions around  him,  he  must  retrograde  in  the  moral  scale.  It 
becomes  us,  therefore,  both  old  and  young,  to  strive  habitu- 
ally, every  day  we  are  permitted  to  live,  to  learn  something 
which  will  enable  us  to  be  more  useful  to  others,  and  of 
consequence  to  ourselves;  to  think  more  justly  of  men  and 
things,  and  more  kindly  one  of  another;  to  be  more  consid- 
erate of  the  peculiarities  as  well  as  the  wants  of  individuals, 
more  blind  to  their  failings,  less  disposed  to  find  fault,  and 
more  willing  to  serve  them;  in  a word,  which  will  render  us 
more  intelligent  of  human  responsibility,  less  selfish,  and 
better  fitted  for  a more  exalted  state  of  existence. 

Again : 

“Honor  and  shame  from  no  condition  rise; 

Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies/’ 

Promulgated  under  the  regime  of  monarchs,  and  orders  of 
ancestral  nobility,  in  the  old  world,  this  sentiment  has  taken 
deep  root  there,  though  destined  still  to  vegetate  in  compara- 
tive obscurity.  But  it  applied  with  peculiar  and  prophetic 


14 


force  to  tli e amazing  development  of  mind  and  human  pro- 
gress which  have  since  been  realized  in  our  own  favored 
land  ; where  amongst  citizens  there  is  recognized  no  privileged 
order ; where  “ worth  makes  the  man.” 

We  ought  to  admit  at  the  same  time — and  the  idea  furnishes 
a strong  incentive  to  a laudable  public  spirit  and  honorable 
exertion — that  where  the  members  of  a family  have,  from 
generation  to  generation,  in  long  succession,  acted  well  their 
parts,  and  stand,  in  human  estimation,  acquitted  of  their  duty 
to  their  country,  their  name  will  be  allowed  of  all  men  to  be 
a title  of  respectability  and  honor;  a title  which  people  who 
know  of  them  will  feel  an  honest  pride  in  recognizing.  But 
should  the  descendant  of  such  a family,  with  unscrupulous 
and  narrow  selfishness  pursue  his  fortunes  in  contempt  of 
the  wants  and  feelings  of  others;  and,  standing  defiant  before 
his  fellow  men,  propose  to  justify  irregularities  and  misconduct 
by  the  plea  of  a noble  ancestry,  he  would  incur  not  only  the 
odium  among  his  compeers  of  a signal  failure,  but  also  the 
heavy  responsibility  of  desecrating  an  honored  name: 

“Ah!  why  should  virtue  dread  the  frowns  of  Fate? 

Hers  what  no  wealth  can  win,  no  power  create! 

A little  world  of  clear  and  cloudless  day 

Nor  wrecked  by  storms,  nor  mouldered  by  decay, 

A world  with  memory’s  ceaseless  sunshine  blest, 

The  home  of  happiness,  an  honest  breast.’’ 


These  little  couplets  recall  forcibly  to  my  remembrance  the 
learned  grammarian  who  often  quoted  them  for  instruction  in 
the  school.  Peaceful  be  his  rest,  and  honored  his  memory! 
Formerly,  a well  known  ruling  master  in  Winyah,  he  was 
long  approved  as  such  by  parents  and  guardians.* 

♦ The  noted  school  of  the  venerable  John  Waldo  was  situated  in  Georgetown; 
kept,  during  winter,  in  the  house,  corner  of  Broad  and  Screven  streets,  now 
owned  by  Dr.  Charles  Williams;  in  summer,  at  “North  Inlet,”  in  a house  upon 
the  sand-hills,  no  vestige  of  which  now  remains.  The  school  flourished  in  1809- 
’12,  and  was  considered  a good  school  for  boys  learning  Latin  and  Greek,  until 
the  time  and  attention  of  the  Principal  became  too  much  engrossed  by  his  preten- 
sions as  an  author.  With  great  labor  and  industry  he  compiled  a system  of 
English  grammar,  which  was  published  at  no  small  expense  of  time  and  money. 
Not  unfrequently  when  he  was  thus  engaged,  his  attention  was  abstracted 
from  the  details  of  the  school-room,  and  there  were  not  wanting  mischievous 


15 


To  the  boys  who  attended  his  school — 

“ A man  severe  he  was,  and  stern  to  view,” 

yet  faithful  and  valuable  to  a few,  who  attracted  his  regard, 
and  who  now,  by  their  position  and  usefulness  in  society, 
reflect  the  gratitude  which  they,  doubtless,  feel.  Bestowed  at 
a time  when  the  learning  of  the  ancients,  far  from  being  a 
common  heritage,  was  taught  by  scholars  “ few  and  far  be- 
tween/’ the  well-meant  labors  of  our  preceptor,  productive  as 
they  were  of  much  good  in  this  venerable  town,  will  be 
remembered  by  his  pupils  with  the  commendation  which 
becomes  them.  There  are  living,  who  will  freely  acknowl- 
edge that  had  their  devotion  to  study,  to  their  own  true  inter- 
ests, been  greater,  and  their  concern  less  to  evade  his  fitful 
vigilance  and  offended  dignity,  they  could  not  have  failed — 


To  profit  largely  by  his  store 
Of  grammar  and  his  classic  lore. 


My  young  friends:  Forty  years  ago  I trudged  along  these 
streets  to  Waldo’s  school,  as  you  do  now  to  White’s  ; carrying 
with  me  books^  and  ball,  or  top,  or  shintey,  just  as  you  do 
now — 

“ On  yon  (pave-ground)  near  the  (Master’s)  door, 

Worn  smooth  by  busy  feet,  now  seen  no  more, 

Each  eve  we  shot  the  marble  thro’  the  ring, 

When  the  heart  danced,  and  life  was  in  its  spring.” 


It  is  due  to  truth  to  say,  that  I was  one  of  those  more  fond 
of  the  outside  play  ground  than  of  the  inside  school  room.  It 
may  be  thus  with  some  of  you.  Urged,  however,  by  the 
tender  appeals  of  a fond  but  judicious  mother,  my  only  par- 
ent living,  I became  sensible,  though  late,  of  the  advantages 


boys,  who  took  advantage  of  his  pre-occupation;  on  discoveriug  which,  his 
temper,  somewhat  uneven,  was  roused  and  was  likely  to  become  violent.  There 
were  some  poor  devoted  fellows  whom  he  always  suspected,  even  when  they 
seemed  to  be  engrossed  by  the  book  lying  open  before  them.  Behind  these,  he 
would  at  times  step  stealthily  up,  and  on  ascertaining  over  his  spectacles  that  the 
object  of  fixed  attention,  instead  of  a book,  was  a favorite  marble,  or  something 
else,  would  deal,  with  the  open  hand,  such  a blow  as  was  not  soon  forgotten. 


16 


neglected,  which  ought  to  have  been  improved  ; of  the  time 
mis-spent,  never  to  be  redeemed  ; of  opportunities  past  and 
passing  fast  away  ! The  school  to  which  you  are  attached, 
existed  then  under  the  immediate  care  of  Mr.  Wm.  R.  Theus, 
Oh  ! then,Avhat  a gala  day  was  the  Anniversary  of  the  Indigo 
Society,  countenanced  and  attended  by  the  men  of  yore, 
whose  memories  are  still  cherished  in  the  land.  The  school 
was  always  full,  its  advantages  being  sought  by  parents  and 
guardians  as  a privilege  to  them  and  a boon  to  their  children 
or  wards.  So  when  the  procession  was  formed  in  the  street, 
the  pupil’s  appearing  in  their  plain,  but  clean  and  neat  attire, 
marshalled  under  the  stately  lead  of  the  venerable  revolution- 
ary surgeon,  Dr.  Joseph  Blyth,  or  the  dignified  Major  John 
Keith  and  the  amiable  Savage  Smith,  whose  portly  presence 
was  itself  a sanction,  as  it  moved  in  grave  order  towards  one 
of  the  churches,  where  an  expecting  audience  waited  to  hear 
the  annual  address,  a spectacle  was  presented,  very  imposing 
to  youthful  eyes — very  impressive  on  the  memory  of  the 
young. 

There  was  a time  when  this  was  the  only  public  school  in 
Georgetown.  (The  Free  Schools,  the  establishment  of  which 
reflects  so  much  credit  on  the  Legislature  of  1811,  were  not 
organized  until  a year  or  two  after,  (1812-13.)  I will  not  say 
that  it  has  instructed  more  boys  and  girls  than  any  other 
school  in  the  State — our  number  is  limited  to  twenty-five — 
but  that  it  has  probably  been  in  operation  as  a school  as 
steadily  and  continuously  as  any  other.  We  have  no  record 
of  its  having  been  suspended,  at  any  time,  for  more  than  two 
months.  Designed  in  the  middle  of  the  last  century  by  the 
benevolent  gentlemen  of  that  day,  and  sustained  by  their 
wise  forecast  until  placed  upon  a firm  and  creditable  footing, 
it  has  been  countenanced  and  sustained  ever  since  by  their 
successors,  with  commendable  public  spirit,  from  generation 
to  generation.  I trust  it  will  be  cherished  by  you,  and  by 
many  yet  unborn,  as  long  as  this  ancient  municipality,  and 
the  State  itself,  shall  preserve  corporate  existance. 

Recipients  of  this  time-honored  bounty ! you  for  whose 
instruction  the  members  of  this  institution  have  been  asso- 


17 


dated  ninety-nine  years!  What  is  required  of  you  in  return? 
Simply  to  obey  God’s  holy  will,  and  keep  His  command- 
ments, to  do  them.  Do  you  desire  to  exhibit  your  sense  of 
duty  ? To  testify  the  honor  and  gratitude  which  each  must 
feci  sooner  or  later  ? Conduct  yourself  uprightly  and  hon- 
estly— speak  the  truth  always — be  fair  and  just  on  the  play 
ground,  as  in  all  your  dealings — diligent  and  submissive  in 
the  school  room — respect  and  obey  your  worthy  preceptor — 
give  him  no  unnecessary  trouble,  by  absenting  yourself  on 
every  trivial  excuse,  by  failing  in  punctuality  to  the  recita- 
tions and  the  hours  he  prescribes — in  attention  to  decency 
and  order,  or  in  any  other  way. 

Doubtless  you  may  feel  inclined  at  first  to  resist  the  force 
of  my  injunctions,  or  to  receive  them  with  impatience,  or  as 
interfering  with  your  desires,  and  abridging  unnecessarily 
your  pleasures.  Punctuality  and  order  are  sometimes  incon- 
veniently pressed  upon  you.  But  consider  how  they  obtain 
in  the  recurrence  of  this  anniversary!  How  punctually  the 
members  of  the  Indigo  Society  are  assembled  at  11  o’clock; 
and  bow  comfortably,  owing  to  the  order  which  prevails,  you 
all  are  enabled  to  listen  to  the  sentiments  of  their  orator. 
Order  is  the  first  law  of  nature;  it  is  exemplified  in  all  the 
works  of  God.  In  the  animal  physiology  and  functions,  the 
regular  succession  of  the  seasons — when  the  hosts  of  winter 
are  past,  then  the  eye  is  gladdened  by  the  green  fields  and 
variegated  flowers,  and  shady  foliage  of  spring,  and  the  heart 
is  cheered  with  the  budding  promise  of  abundance  in  its  sea- 
son of  fruition. 

Behold  the  majesty  of  the  heavens,  of  the  celestial  bodies^ 
although  countless  in  number,  each  moves  in  the  firmament 
above  in  its  peculiar  orbit  and  prescribed  sphere,  exhibiting  a 
system  of  harmony  and  order  beautifully  grand  and  instruc- 
tive. And  the  great  luminary!  the  sun — what  more  punc- 
tual and  orderly  in  his  daily  visits,  familiarly  speaking  than 
the  sun.  Rising  regularly  in  the  East,  be  sheds  heat  and 
light  upon  the  earth,  by  which  the  soil  is  rendered  fruitful, 
and  you  are  enabled  to  read  and  write,  and  work  and  play. 
Well,  by  the  time  you  are  tired  of  all  this,  his  daily  course  is 
2 


18 


over, and  the  sun  sets  in  the  west  punctually — never  too  late — 
and  night  succeeds;  the  dew  cools  and  refreshes  the  earth, 
and  yon  rest  your  wearied  limbs,  and  sleep  until  the  morn- 
ing— when  punctual,  as  before,  his  broad,  bright  disk  again 
appears  and  invites  you  to  the  daily  round  of  duty  and  of 
pleasure. 

Your  teacher’s  business  is  to  study  and  promote  your  inter- 
ests; yours  is  to  make  due  progress  in  a sound,  practical  edu- 
cation. On  leaving  the  school-room  between  hours,  and 
while  mingling  with  your  comrades  from  day  to  day,  bear 
in  mind  the  character  of  the  ancient  and  respectable  school 
to  which  you  belong;  and  regarding  it  in  the  light  of  an 
honored  parent,  take  care  to  do  no  act  unworthy  of  it,  neither 
secret  evil  nor  open  shame.  Remember,  each  cleve  is  in 
some  sort  part  and  parcel  of  the  Institution  itself,  and  his 
conduct  will  reflect  upon  it  credit  or  reproach.  Who  that 
would  not  feel  proud  of  being  a worthy  member  of  a corpo- 
ration so  elevated  in  purpose,  so  venerable  in  the  history  of 
the  commonwealth  ? Who  that  would  not  be  degraded  by 
conduct  which  would  cast  upon  it  discredit,  and  cause  its 
officers  to  blush  for  their  charge  ? 

You  are  now  its  beneficiaries.  Only  think  how  many  have 
preceded  you.  How  many,  long  since  dead,  have,  in  the 
occasional  brief  intervals  of  a toilsome  life,  looked  back  with 
yearning  and  regret  tJ  their  school  boy  days,  and  have 
ascribed  many  a failure,  many  a mortification,  to  the  omis- 
sions of  youthful  duty,  and  the  neglect  of  their  early  oppor- 
tunities— opportunities  which  are  now  afforded  to  you.  Be 
counselled  and  secure  them  whilst  you  can  ; store  your  mind, 
now,  with  the  elements  of  useful  knowledge.  Neither  the 
school  which  these  good  gentlemen  have  provided,  nor  the 
best  efforts  of  its  preceptor,  will  avail  to  make  you  wise  with- 
out your  own  consent— your  active  will.  Consent  implies 
effort  on  your  part — diligent,  honest  effort.  With  these  com- 
bined, our  school  must  be  successful.  And  you  will  not  only 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  its  benefits,  but  will  feel  an  honest 
pride  in  that  success  to  which  you  have  contributed. 

The  best  of  schools,  however,  cannot  do  more  than  intro- 


19 


duce  you  to  the  field  of  knowledge,  and  furnish  you  with  im- 
plements to  cultivate  it.  The  success  you  are  to  meet  with, 
and  the  harvest  you  are  to  reap,  will  depend  on  your  own 
self-imposed  labor  and  diligence.  As  helps  to  efficient  labor, 
learn  at  once  to  practice  self-denial,  self-control ; to  deny 
yourself  any  improper  indulgence  or  expensive  gratification; 
to  control  your  passions,  your  desires,  and  the  tongue — that 
little  unruly  member,  so  well  likened  to  the  small  helm  of  a 
great  ship,  which,  as  it  is  rashly  or  prudently  governed,  may 
strand  the  castly  vessel  on  a lee  shore,  or  conduct  her  safely 
into  a thriving,  peaceful  haven. 

These  lessons  should  be  taught  by  example  in  every  school. 
The  master  who  does  not  habitually  strive  to  practice  both 
the  one  and  the  other,  is  not  yet  fitted  for  his  trustful  voca- 
tion. The  touching  acknowledgement  to  his  God  by  David  in 
one  of  his  psalms,  is  full  of  instruction  to  parents,  teachers, 
pastors  and  masters — • 

“Thy  gentleness  hath  made  me  great.” 


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